Back pain causes more disability than any other condition in the UK[1]. It is the second most common cause of absence from work, resulting in the loss of four million working days per year[2]. This comes at a heavy price not only for the NHS, the Department for Work and Pensions, and the UK economy – reported to be costing each £480 million, £5 billion and £9.6 billion a year respectively – but for the increasing number of us who will experience back pain at some point in our lives.

Over 40% of over 50s go on to develop back pain[3], and with an ageing population it’s more important than ever that we know what we can do to prevent, reduce and manage this common but debilitating ailment.

Dr David Rogers is an Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner at the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Birmingham. In 2016 he co-authored the book Back to Life: How to unlock your pathway to recovery (when back pain persists) with Dr Grahame Brown. It breaks down complex-sounding terms and contains plenty of practical advice for managing and relieving back pain. David explains the ideas behind the book and the biopsychosocial model to Paul, who tries some 7:11 breathing and relaxation techniques.

Contributors*Dr David Rogers, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy Practitioner at Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham and co-author of Back to Life: How to unlock your pathway to recovery

David Rogers

Back to Life: How to unlock your pathway to recovery (when back pain persists)

More informationFor more support and information on living with persistent back pain, visit: